The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

The unicorn wants to find other unicorns. Mage Schmendrick, whose magic seldom works, never as he intended, rescues unicorn from Mommy Fortuna’s Midnight Carnival. Only some mythical beasts displayed are illusions. Molly Grue believes in legends despite Robin Hood wannabe and his unmerry men. King Haggard and his Bull banish unicorns into sea.

★★★★★

This is probably one of my favorite childhood stories that isn’t quite a happily ever after in the typical Disney way. I would have to say it’s a close tie between The Princess Bride and The Last Unicorn as to what my favorite childhood film was. The Last Unicorn is has a bittersweet ending that is for sure and it’s composed of various characters. Quirky ones, comedic relief, pure evil, neutral, supporting roles and heroes. What more do you need? Oh, I know… UNICORNS.

Amalthea is such a strong character to me, she’s gentle, pure and kind, but when her kind is in danger she takes matters into her own hooves and sets off to find them if they are even still alive. Along the way, she gets into hairy situations and meets friends as well as enemies.

Schmendrick is amongst the quirky individuals and he is one of the supporting roles, he’s a clumsy wizard who has magic that scarcely works or at least in the way he wants it to. When the wicked Mama Fortuna captures the unicorn and places her in a cage, it is Schmendrick who saves the day!

I really really could talk about all of the characters involved in this story, there is so much growth, development, and feelings that are part of this beautiful classic tale.

I love love love this story, it just never gets old and now as an adult I can really appreciate it.